Former US President Donald Trump has been taken into police custody at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office on Tuesday, in preparation for his arraignment on unprecedented criminal charges related to hush money payments given out to a porn star before the 2016 presidential election. The 76-year-old is expected to be processed and fingerprinted upon arrival, and may even have his mug shot obtained. Trump’s attorneys have reportedly stated that the Republican leader, weighing his options for a second White House run in 2024, will be pleading not guilty to the criminal charges.
After appearing in court, Trump has plans to fly back to Florida and deliver remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach later in the evening. At the hearing, Judge Juan Merchan will read the charges of the indictment to the former President, which is expected to last 10-15 minutes. Trump continues to deny all wrongdoings in regards to the payments given to Stormy Daniels, a 44-year-old adult film star.
In anticipation of Trump’s arraignment, security has been tightened in New York City and the surrounding areas, as many of his supporters have arrived in the city. Mayor Eric Adams has warned against any breaking of law and order.
This landmark occasion marks the first time in United States history that a former President has faced criminal charges. This serves as a turning point in the president’s personal and political history, one that is sure to be part of the public discourse for years to come.
This case is also noteworthy for the parties involved. Manhattan based District Attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., is the prosecutor prosecuting the case. This is a landmark case for Vance, as it marks his first dealing with a former US President. Trump’s attorneys have affirmed their commitment to defending him in this case, and vow to see a desirable outcome for their client.
The hearings and discussions coming up will be highly discussed for many weeks and months to come, as this is an unprecedented case for current and past US presidents alike. From now until the conclusion, careful attention needs to be paid to the case in order to ensure the proper proceedings are being taken.
